As poet Robert Burns mused centuries ago, the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Despite thoughtful effort and a concerted strategy, you cannot prepare for every emergency in life. A car accident, sudden illness, workplace injury, or chronic medical condition can force you to reevaluate the core assumptions you used to plan […]
Comprehensive estate planning involves more than just planning for your legacy after your death, avoiding probate, and reducing taxes. Good estate planning also appoints people to make legal, financial, and medical decisions for you if you are alive but unable to make those decisions for yourself (in other words, if you are incapacitated). While no […]
As a parent, you are responsible for the care of your minor child. In most circumstances, this means getting them up for school, making sure they are fed, and providing for other basic needs. However, what would happen if you and your child’s other parent were unable to care for them? It is important to note […]
Family members with special needs may require assistance throughout their lives. If you want to ensure that a loved one with a disability is taken care of after you are gone, you can help manage resources for them by using a third-party special needs trust (SNT). Also known as a supplemental needs trust, a third-party […]
When creating a last will and testament (commonly known as a will), one of your most important considerations is who to choose to serve as the executor (sometimes called a personal representative) of your estate. As the name implies, the role of the executor is to execute the instructions that you provide in your will. […]
While movies and television provide great entertainment, they are not always factual. Even shows based on real events are not entirely accurate. Creators of television programs and movies will often alter details of a story or situation to provide an enjoyable experience. Because of these widespread embellishments, people often develop misconceptions about many industries and […]
Sitting down to create or update your estate plan can be overwhelming. Crucial to a successful plan is your ability to address two major questions: First, who will get your stuff when you die; and Second, how do you want those individuals or charities to receive their inheritance? Ways to Give Away Your Money and […]
When people think about creating an estate plan, they may think it just involves getting a set of forms that convey their wishes regarding their finances, health, and what will happen to their stuff when they die. Although the documents that comprise an estate plan may seem like simple forms, these important estate planning tools […]
The new year rang in more than holiday cheer for small business owners who will now have one more item on their compliance to-do list. The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA),[1] enacted as part of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020, places new reporting requirements on many business entities. The law seeks to expose illegal activities, […]
When developing your estate plan, it is nearly impossible to address every account or piece of property you own. There are sure to be some things you unintentionally overlook. However, by including a residuary clause, you can intentionally distribute any remaining items inadvertently left over during the estate or trust administration process to a named […]
